Archive for May, 2009

Pamela D. Wilson of TheCareNavigator.com shares her words of support once again to help provide client independence through education and information enabling web visitors to plan and make informed decisions on a wide range of available services by accessing quality Senior Care.

Pamela Dombrowski-Wilson, MS, BS/BA, CG and CSA, Certified Senior Advisor, specializes in working with individuals and families to navigate healthcare and aging issues with a focus on maintaining independence and planning for long term care.

I’ve spent the past couple of weeks advocating for an older client, Jenny*, who was taken advantage of by a friend. The friend at first was very attentive, caring etc. but then crossed the boundary of personal involvement and actually accessed Jenny’s bank accounts and other personal information. As one might imagine the situation went quickly sour as Jenny did not have funds to pay her bills and other necessities like medications etc. however due to short term memory loss she really could not help herself determine what might be done to solve the issue. A neighbor of Jenny’s contacted me and I became involved. Eventually due to very complicated circumstances a restraining order and other measures had to be put in place against Jenny’s friend to ensure there would be no further access to bank accounts and other information. While Jenny is relieved, the situation is sad because she believed in her friend who was to have her best interests at heart. Many older adults today find themselves in similar situations and are at a loss about what can be done. Know that the situation is not hopeless and measures can be taken to correct many issues. The solution all begins with having an experienced advocate who can work on your behalf.

A Caring Hand Home Care provides unique training to all caregivers who are providing elderly home care services to clients suffering from Alzheimer’s or Dementia. The training is taught by Jerri Stanfield, Community Liaison for A Caring Hand and Educational Specialist for the Boise Alzheimer’s Association.

Jerri draws from her many years of experience working with people suffering from Alzheimer’s and Dementia. This experience includes work with the Alzheimer’s Associations in two separate states, ten years training the “Join their Journey” dementia program, seven years as a Residential Care Administrator and the oversight of four dementia memory loss units.

Alzheimer’s and Dementia Caregiving

We have made very positive strides in caring for our dementia population. As a caregiver each successful moment we have in understanding the behaviors that accompany this disease we can bring peace to both the client and their families.

In days past, “reality training” was initially thought to be the best way to deal with behaviors with someone with dementia. This would require constantly attempting to bring them to the present regardless of the shock or sadness that might be attached to that effort. Fortunately, we now realize that any effort in that direction is fruitless and causes undue pain to the person with the disease. Uniting in thought and support of where the person is at any given moment is the successful path to care giving.

Strategy becomes our friend when we are put in the position of instantaneously solving behavior problems. Once that path begins, the caregiver can find many rewards when the person they are caring for has peaceful moments rather than fretful ones.

Redirection has many tools that can assist behaviors and the one element that should always be remembered is, “behaviors are communication”. Being mindful of that one thought will repeatedly direct the caregiver to search for answers in relation to the person’s life history, in addition to thoughts and fears that accompany dementia.

Caution should be in place with over stimulation. This may come in forms of visual or activity in their environment. The caregiver’s ability to maintain a peaceful, loving, and happy atmosphere will help maintain minimal behavior issues.

Bathing, toileting, and dining issues may also occur as a result of dementia, but there are positive answers for these activities of daily living as well.

Education is the key to understanding how we may better care for our deserving dementia clients, and support groups for caregivers and families strengthen that team effort.

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